20 Things to Do in Wilmington NC This Week · July 23–26, 2026

Music & Nightlife

Little Stranger

Live concert at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Wilmington's beloved outdoor venue since 1962.

Thursday, July 23, 2026 · Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Wilmington

Bob Dylan at Live Oak Bank Pavilion

The legendary Bob Dylan performs live at Wilmington's premier outdoor concert venue, Live Oak Bank Pavilion.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 7:00 PM · Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan Street, Wilmington

Graham Nash at Wilson Center

Legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash performs live at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College.

Saturday, August 1, 2026 7:30 PM · Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington

Free Events

Fourth Fridays Gallery Night

Self-guided after-hours art tour through 20+ participating galleries and creative spaces in downtown Wilmington, free and open to all from 6–9 PM.

Friday, July 24, 2026 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM · Downtown Wilmington

Free Concert Friday – My Chemical Romance Tribute

The final stretch of Wilmington's beloved free summer concert series at The Eagle's Dare features a My Chemical Romance tribute band.

Friday, July 24, 2026 6:00 PM · The Eagle's Dare, Downtown Wilmington

Arts & Culture

Open Studio Event with Dick Roberts

Art in Bloom Gallery hosts an open studio event at ACME Art Studios featuring Dick Roberts, running July 24–26.

Friday, July 24, 2026 · ACME Art Studios, 711 N 5th Ave, Wilmington

Crafting with Coffee

A cozy crafting meetup pairing creative projects with your favorite coffee drinks, hosted by GrannyCore Crafts for Young Adults.

Saturday, July 25, 2026 10:00 AM · Wilmington

Mean Girls – Opera House Theatre Academy

The locally acclaimed Opera House Theatre Academy stages Mean Girls at Thalian Hall for a limited three-night run.

Friday, July 31, 2026 · Thalian Hall, Wilmington

Festivals & Special Events

Cape Fear Vintage Market

Pop-up market with 30+ vendors selling men's and women's vintage streetwear, sneakers, and more at Marina Grill in downtown Wilmington.

Sunday, July 26, 2026 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM · 18 Harnett St. at Marina Grill, Downtown Wilmington

The Wilmington Weekend Pop-Up Market

Free outdoor pop-up market at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater with local vendors offering unique goods.

Friday, July 31, 2026 8:00 AM · Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Wilmington

Port City Rock Jam

An impressive lineup of twelve local bands each brings their unique style and energy to the stage at this annual Wilmington rock festival.

Saturday, August 1, 2026 · Wilmington

Food & Drink

Circle Pit BBQ Pop-Up at 3rd Street Eats

World-influenced BBQ and Carolina classics from Circle Pit BBQ at the 3rd Street Eats walk-up window downtown, back this Thursday and Friday.

Thursday, July 23, 2026 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM · 3rd Street Eats, 408 N 3rd St, Wilmington

Tiki Night at Indochine: A Tropical Garden Party

Almost-sold-out tropical garden party at Indochine Restaurant featuring tiki cocktails and an exotic atmosphere.

Thursday, July 30, 2026 7:00 PM · Indochine Restaurant, Wilmington

Women's Social Club August Book Club at The Rift

The Women's Social Club discusses The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid over drinks from The Rift and food from Mess Hall.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 6:00 PM · The Rift, Wilmington

Date Night

Mom's Night Out – Polka Dot Pottery Studio

Moms-only painting night at the brand-new Polka Dot Pottery Studio in The Forum; $12 to paint plus the cost of pottery selected.

Thursday, July 30, 2026 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM · Polka Dot Pottery Studio, The Forum, Wilmington

Family-Friendly

Market in the Park – Sunset Beach

Weekly summertime market every Thursday highlighting local growers, artisans, and craftsmen in Sunset Beach.

Thursday, July 30, 2026 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM · Sunset Beach, NC

Once Upon a Mattress: Youth Edition

Opera House Theatre Academy presents the youth edition of the beloved musical Once Upon a Mattress at Thalian Hall.

Friday, July 31, 2026 · Thalian Hall, Wilmington

9th Annual Jacen Murphy Youth Football Camp

Annual youth football camp at Williston Middle School, open to young players of all skill levels.

Friday, July 31, 2026 4:00 PM · Williston Middle School, Wilmington

Outdoors & Active

Wilmington Run Club at Hidden Grounds

Weekly Friday morning run club gathering at Hidden Grounds Coffee in downtown Wilmington — all paces welcome.

Friday, July 24, 2026 6:30 AM · Hidden Grounds Coffee, Downtown Wilmington

SUP Yoga at Wrightsville Beach

Stand-up paddleboard yoga every Saturday June through August — board included, pre-registration required at $35.

Saturday, July 25, 2026 · Wrightsville Beach